Self-supporting box suitable for supporting and thermally insulating a waterproof membrane

Abstract

The invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank in a supporting structure, a wall of the tank successively comprising a primary sealed membrane intended to be in contact with a cold fluid, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary sealed membrane and a secondary insulating barrier between the secondary sealed membrane and the supporting structure, the secondary insulating barrier comprising insulating modules juxtaposed on the supporting structure to form a uniform support surface for the secondary sealed membrane, and mechanical couplers attached to the supporting structure between the juxtaposed insulating modules and cooperating with the insulating modules to retain the insulating modules against the supporting structure, the tank comprising a first sensor support (41) fixed to a first lateral face (31) of an upper plate (26) of a first mechanical coupler and a second sensor support (42) fixed to a second lateral face (33),distinct from the first lateral face (31), of a mechanical coupler among the first mechanical coupler or a second mechanical coupler distinct from the first mechanical coupler arranged opposite the first coupler with respect to an insulating module. Figure 6,

Description

Title of the invention: Self-supporting box suitable for supporting and thermally insulating a waterproof membrane

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of sealed and thermally insulating tanks integrated into a supporting structure for containing a fluid, in particular to membrane tanks for containing liquefied gases, in particular combustible gases. In particular, the invention also relates to mechanical couplers and leak detection sensors used in such tanks.

[0002] Sealed and thermally insulating tanks can be used in various industries to store fluids. For example, in the energy sector, liquefied natural gas (also known by its abbreviation LNG) is a liquid with a high methane content that can be stored at atmospheric pressure at approximately -163°C in land-based storage tanks or in tanks embedded in floating structures.

[0003] In the case of a floating structure, the tank may be intended for the transport of liquefied gas and / or for receiving liquefied gas serving as fuel for the propulsion of the floating structure.

[0004] It is known, for example, from documents WO-A-2014096600 and WO- A-2019110894, a sealed and thermally insulating tank for storing liquefied natural gas arranged in a supporting structure and the walls of which have a multi-layer structure, namely from the outside to the inside of the tank, a secondary thermally insulating barrier anchored against the supporting structure, a secondary sealing membrane which is supported by the secondary thermally insulating barrier, a primary thermally insulating barrier which is supported by the secondary sealing membrane and a primary sealing membrane which is supported by the primary thermally insulating barrier and which is intended to be in contact with the liquefied natural gas stored in the tank.

[0005] Each thermal insulation barrier, primary and secondary, comprises a set of modular insulating blocks, respectively primary and secondary, of generally parallelepiped shape which are juxtaposed and which thus form a support surface for a respective waterproofing membrane. The insulating blocks are anchored on the supporting structure by means of mechanical couplers which are fixed to the supporting structure and which are positioned at the corners of the primary and secondary insulating blocks. Each mechanical coupler thus cooperates with the corners of four adjacent secondary insulating blocks and with the corners of four adjacent primary insulating blocks in order to retain them against the supporting structure.

[0006] [Fig. 1] shows a waterproof and thermally insulating wall in a cutaway perspective to show the structure of such a wall. Such a structure can be implemented on large surfaces having various orientations, for example to cover bottom, ceiling and side walls of a tank. The orientation of [Fig.l] is therefore not limiting in this respect.

[0007] The tank wall is attached to the wall of a supporting structure 1. By convention, a position located closer to the inside of the tank will be called "above" and a position located closer to the supporting structure 1 will be called "below", regardless of the orientation of the tank wall relative to the Earth's gravity field.

[0008] The tank wall comprises two successive sealing membranes, one primary 5, intended to be in contact with the product contained in the tank, and the other secondary 3 arranged between the primary membrane 5 and the supporting structure 1, these two membranes being alternated with two thermally insulating barriers 4, 2. The insulating and sealing walls of such a tank are preferably made from a set of prefabricated panels. Typically, each prefabricated panel has the general shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, the primary insulation element 4 and the secondary insulation element 2 having respectively, seen in plan, the shape of a first rectangle and a second rectangle whose sides are substantially parallel.

[0009] The primary 5 and secondary 3 waterproof membranes are preferably made of Invar® but can also be made of stainless steel.

[0010] The secondary insulating barrier 2 consists of a plurality of parallelepipedal secondary insulating modules 6 which are arranged side by side, so as to substantially cover the internal surface of the supporting structure 1. To allow the flatness of the waterproof membranes, beads of mastic 7 are installed between the supporting structure 1 and the lower surface of the secondary insulating modules 6. These beads of mastic are for example glued to the lower surface of the secondary insulating module 6. They do not adhere to the supporting structure 1 due to the placement of kraft paper 8 between the supporting structure 1 and the mastic. Shims 28 may also be provided on the supporting wall to support the corners of the secondary insulating modules 6.

[0011] An insulating module typically comprises a block of high-density polymer foam, in particular polyurethane with or without glass fibers, sandwiched between two flat panels of plywood. The foam block has the overall shape of a rectangular parallelepiped with cutouts in the corners to allow corner pillars to pass through.

[0012] As visible in [Fig.l], mechanical couplers 30 are positioned at the corners of the secondary insulating modules 6 at a rate of four mechanical couplers 30 caniques per module 6. Clearances (not shown) at the level of the side panels of the insulating modules allow the mechanical couplers 30 to be engaged in order to retain the secondary insulating modules 6 on the load-bearing wall 1. The operating principle of a mechanical coupler is for example described in document WO2014096600A1.

[0013] [Fig. 2] is a plan view of a coupler suitable for use in the tank wall of [Fig. 1]. The mechanical coupler 30 comprises a socket 22 whose base is welded to the supporting structure 1 in a position which corresponds to a clearance at the corners of four adjacent secondary insulating modules 6. The socket 22 carries a first rod 23 screwed thereto. The rod 23 passes between the adjacent modules 6. A fixing piece is mounted on the rod 23 to clamp the modules 6 against the supporting structure 1. The fixing piece comprises a lower metal plate 24, an upper plate 26 and an intermediate block 25 mounted on the lower plate 24 so as to act as a spacer between the lower plate 24 and the upper plate 26 and to reduce the thermal bridge to the supporting structure 1.The height of this arrangement is determined so that the upper plate 26 is flush with the cover panels 18 to support the secondary membrane 3.

[0014] As will become more clear in the description of the invention, it should be noted that the invention is not limited to the mechanical coupler 30 shown in [Fig. 2], nor to the arrangement of the wall structure shown in [Fig. 1]. More generally, the invention applies to any mechanical coupler, intended to be positioned between insulating modules, comprising at least one upper plate 26, whatever the characteristics of its other constituent elements.

[0015] When operating a ship, it is essential to check the integrity of the membranes in order to rule out the possibility of a rupture, even local, of them. Such a rupture would cause a leak of the liquefied gas contained in the tank through the damaged portion of the primary membrane towards the primary barrier, and where appropriate through a damaged portion of the secondary membrane. It is therefore important to check for the presence of membrane ruptures and, when this is the case, to determine precisely where the rupture(s) are located.

[0016] Document KR20160069768A describes a gas detection device installed in the secondary barrier, said device being fixed on a fixing support. This document teaches that the fixing support is installed on one or other of the lateral faces of an adjustment plate of a coupler. Although generally responding satisfactorily to the problem of leak detection, this document does not provide any solution regarding the redundancy of the gas detection devices, in order to ensure continuity of service even in the event of failure of a detection device.

[0017] [Fig. 3] represents a possible arrangement of two sensor supports 41, 42 on an upper plate 26 of a mechanical coupler. The first sensor support 41 is welded to the first lateral face 31 of the plate 26, and the second sensor support 42 is itself welded to one face of the first sensor support 4L. In other words, in this configuration, the two sensor supports 41, 42 are welded together, one on the other, on a single lateral face of the plate 26. The supports 41, 42 are made of a highly conductive material. In the case of a leak detection sensor by means of temperature measurement, as visible in [Fig. 3], the sensor probe 43 is screwed into the support 4L. This probe is connected at its other end to a cable 45, itself able to be connected to a computer (not shown) capable of receiving a signal (here temperature). The computer can thus receive the temperature of board 26.Depending on the signal received (for example if the measured temperature is below a previously defined threshold, thus indicating a leak of liquefied gas in the insulation barrier), the calculator can be configured to initiate an action such as, for example, triggering an alarm or displaying the measured temperature.

[0018] This solution addresses both the problem of detecting a liquefied gas leak and the required redundancy of the sensors. However, during a sloshing impact of the liquid cargo (also known as "sloshing"), the plate 26 undergoes an acceleration which tends to generate a concentration of stresses in the weld bead fixing the first support 41 to the lateral face 31. This concentration of stresses thus subjects the weld bead to the risk of rupture. If such a rupture occurs, the two sensor supports 41, 42 welded together become detached from the plate 26. As a result, the two sensors 43, 44 fail. The required redundancy is then no longer ensured.

[0019] The invention aims to overcome all or part of the problems cited above by proposing a particular arrangement of the sensor supports in the secondary barrier making it possible to guarantee redundancy of the leak detection sensors of the primary and / or secondary membrane, while being robust to sloshing.

[0020] To this end, the invention relates to a sealed and thermally insulating tank arranged in a supporting structure for containing a cold fluid, in which a wall of the tank successively comprises a primary sealed membrane intended to be in contact with the fluid, a primary insulating barrier, a secondary sealed membrane parallel to the primary sealed membrane and a secondary insulating barrier arranged between the secondary sealed membrane and the supporting structure, in which the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of insulating modules of generally parallelepiped shape juxtaposed on the supporting structure to form a substantially uniform support surface for the secondary sealed membrane, and mechanical couplers attached to the supporting structure between the insulating modules juxtaposed and cooperating with the insulating modules to retain the insulating modules against the supporting structure, and in which a mechanical coupler comprises: a rod oriented according to the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier and having a lower end portion attached to the supporting structure, and a fixing element linked to an upper end portion of the rod, the fixing element having an upper plate extending parallel to the secondary waterproof membrane, the upper plate of the fixing element being delimited by an upper face, a lower face and four lateral faces, the upper face being flush with the upper surface of the insulating modules between which the mechanical coupler is arranged to form with the upper surface of the insulating modules the substantially uniform support surface for the secondary waterproof membrane,the tank being characterized in that it comprises a first sensor support fixed to a first lateral face of the upper plate of a first mechanical coupler and a second sensor support fixed to a second lateral face, distinct from the first lateral face, of a mechanical coupler among the first mechanical coupler or a second mechanical coupler distinct from the first mechanical coupler arranged opposite the first coupler with respect to an insulating module.

[0021] Thanks to these characteristics, two sensor supports (and therefore two sensors) are positioned close to each other, without being positioned on top of each other. This results in both the required sensor redundancy being ensured and the arrangement of the sensor supports on two distinct side faces (i.e. two different side faces of an upper plate of the same coupler or two side faces of two facing couplers) provides a robust solution to sloshing.

[0022] According to embodiments, such a tank may comprise one or more of the following arrangements.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second sensor support is connected to the second lateral face of the first mechanical coupler, the second lateral face being parallel to the first lateral face.

[0024] In another embodiment, the second sensor support is connected to the second side face of the first mechanical coupler, the second side face being perpendicular to the first side face.

[0025] In a variant of the invention, the first sensor support, respectively the second sensor support, comprises a first portion extending from the first lateral face, respectively the second lateral face, mainly along a plane parallel to the upper face of the upper plate.

[0026] In another variant of the invention, the first sensor support, respectively the second sensor support, further comprises a second portion extending mainly from one end of the first portion along a plane perpen- dicular to the upper face of the upper plate.

[0027] Advantageously, the first sensor support and the second sensor support are leak detection sensor supports.

[0028] Advantageously, the tank of the invention further comprises a first leak detection sensor fixed to the first sensor support and a second leak detection sensor fixed to the second sensor support.

[0029] Advantageously, the first leak detection sensor and the second leak detection sensor are one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a concentration detector of a predefined gas.

[0030] The invention also relates to a ship for transporting a fluid, the ship comprising a double hull and such a tank arranged in the double hull.

[0031] The invention also relates to a transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising such a vessel, insulated pipes arranged to connect the vessel's tank to a floating or land-based storage facility and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel's tank.

[0032] Finally, the invention relates to a method of loading or unloading such a ship, in which a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes from or to a floating or land-based storage facility to or from the tank of the ship.

[0033] These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become more clearly apparent from the following description, given with reference to the accompanying drawings, given as non-limiting examples, and in which:

[0034] [Fig. 1] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective cutaway view of a tank wall waterproof and insulating;

[0035] [Fig.2] [Fig.2] is a plan view of a coupler suitable for use in the wall of the tank of [Fig.l];

[0036] [Fig.3] [Fig.3] shows a possible arrangement of two sensor supports;

[0037] [Fig.4] [Fig.4] represents a sectional view of a first embodiment of a portion of tank wall according to the invention;

[0038] [Fig.5] [Fig.5] represents a sectional view of a second embodiment of a portion of tank wall according to the invention;

[0039] [Fig.6] [Fig.6] represents a view of an upper plate of a coupler mechanics with two sensor supports according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention;

[0040] [Fig.7] [Fig.7] represents a view of an upper plate of a coupler mechanics with two sensor supports according to a third embodiment of the invention;

[0041] [Fig.8] [Fig.8] represents a view of an upper plate of a coupler mechanics with two sensor supports according to a fourth embodiment of the invention;

[0042] [Fig.9] [Fig.9] is a cutaway schematic representation of a LNG carrier tank and a loading / unloading terminal for this tank.

[0043] For the sake of clarity, the same elements will bear the same references in the different figures.

[0044] [Fig. 1] is a partial perspective cutaway view of a sealed and insulating tank wall. It has already been presented above.

[0045] [Fig.2] is a plan view of a coupler suitable for use in the tank wall of [Fig.l]. This figure was also shown above.

[0046] [Fig.3] shows a possible arrangement of two sensor supports, and has been described previously.

[0047] [Fig. 4] represents a sectional view of a first embodiment of a portion of a tank wall according to the invention. The sealed and thermally insulating tank is intended to be arranged in a supporting structure 1 to contain a cold fluid, for example, and in a non-limiting manner, LNG. A wall of the tank successively comprises a primary sealed membrane 5 (not shown) intended to be in contact with the fluid, a primary insulating barrier 4 (not shown), a secondary sealed membrane 3 parallel to the primary sealed membrane and a secondary insulating barrier 2 arranged between the secondary sealed membrane and the supporting structure.The secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of insulating modules 6 of generally parallelepiped shape juxtaposed on the supporting structure to form a substantially uniform support surface for the secondary waterproof membrane, and a plurality of mechanical couplers 30 attached to the supporting structure 1 between the juxtaposed insulating modules 6 and cooperating with the insulating modules 6 to retain the insulating modules 6 against the supporting structure 1.

[0048] A mechanical coupler comprises a rod 23 oriented along the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier and having a lower end portion attached to the supporting structure, and a fixing element linked to an upper end portion of the rod, the fixing element having an upper plate 26 extending parallel to the secondary waterproof membrane. The upper plate 26 of the fixing element being delimited by an upper face, a lower face and four lateral faces 31, 32, 33, 34, the upper face being flush with the upper surface of the insulating modules 6 between which the mechanical coupler 30 is arranged to form with the upper surface of the insulating modules 6 the substantially uniform support surface for the secondary waterproof membrane 3.

[0049] According to the invention, the tank comprises a first sensor support 41 fixed to a first lateral face 31 of the upper plate 26 of a first mechanical coupler 30 among the plurality of mechanical couplers and a second sensor support 42 fixed to a second lateral face, distinct from the first lateral face 31, of a mechanical coupler among the first mechanical coupler or a second coupler distinct from the first mechanical coupler arranged opposite, preferably on the same face, of the first coupler relative to an insulating module 6.

[0050] In other words, the invention is based on the particular arrangement of two sensor supports 41, 42 arranged on two distinct lateral faces. This arrangement is obtained according to two embodiments. The first embodiment is the fixing of the supports 41, 42 on two adjacent mechanical couplers (i.e. spaced by a width or a length of an insulating module). The second embodiment is the fixing of the supports 41, 42 on the same mechanical coupler 30, each on a different lateral face.

[0051] The embodiment shown in [Fig.4] is the first embodiment in which the first sensor support 41 is fixed on the side face 31 of a first mechanical coupler 30 and the second sensor support 42 is fixed on the side face 51 of a second mechanical coupler 30'. The second mechanical coupler 30' is arranged at another corner of the secondary insulating module 6 relative to the first mechanical coupler 30.

[0052] In this embodiment, there are thus two sensor supports 41, 42 for an insulating module to ensure the required sensor redundancy. Furthermore, since the sensor supports are fixed on separate faces, even in the event of sloshing, the weld bead fixing the support to the side face 31 undergoes less stress than in the configuration shown in [Fig. 3], thus making the presence of two sensor supports robust to sloshing.

[0053] [Fig. 5] represents a sectional view of a second embodiment of a portion of tank wall according to the invention. In this embodiment, the first sensor support 41 is fixed to a first lateral face 31 of the upper plate 26 of a first mechanical coupler 30 and a second sensor support 42 is fixed to a second lateral face 33, distinct from the first lateral face 31, of the first mechanical coupler 30.

[0054] In this embodiment, there are thus two sensor supports 41, 42 fixed to the same coupler to ensure the required sensor redundancy. Each of the sensor supports is fixed on different faces, which makes the fixing of the support on the plate more robust in the event of sloshing, than when two supports are welded to each other.

[0055] Although not shown in [Fig.5], within the framework of the invention and as mentioned in the introduction, the first sensor support 41 and the second sensor support 42 are leak detection sensor supports.

[0056] According to the invention, the tank may further comprise a first leak detection sensor 43 fixed to the first sensor support 41 and a second leak detection sensor 44 fixed to the second sensor support 42.

[0057] The first leak detection sensor 43 (not shown) and the second leak detection sensor 44 (not shown) may be a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a detector of the concentration of a predefined gas. In the case of a temperature sensor, the operation is as follows: the supports 41, 42 are made of a highly conductive material. The probe of the sensor 43 is screwed into the support 4L. This probe is connected at its other end to a cable 45, itself capable of being connected to a computer (not shown) capable of receiving a temperature signal. The computer can thus receive the temperature of the plate 26.Depending on the signal received (for example, if the measured temperature is below a predefined threshold, thus indicating a leak of liquefied gas in the insulation barrier), the computer can be configured to, for example, trigger an alarm or display the measured temperature on a screen intended for a control operator, to indicate the leak of liquefied gas in the insulation barrier. The same applies to the sensor 44 and its sensor support 42.

[0058] Similarly, a pressure sensor can measure a local pressure in the isolation barrier, indicating a possible leak.

[0059] Finally, in the case of a predefined gas concentration detector, a predefined gas can, for example, be circulated in the primary barrier. At regular intervals or at intervals chosen by an operator or continuously for a certain duration, the gas concentration detector, fixed on the sensor support, is activated to analyze the content of the surrounding gas. If a certain concentration of the predefined gas is detected, this means a leak at the secondary barrier.

[0060] In a variant of the second embodiment shown in [Fig. 5], the first sensor support 41, respectively the second sensor support 42, comprises a first portion 47 extending from the first lateral face 31, respectively the second lateral face 33, mainly along a plane parallel to the upper face of the upper plate 26. And the first sensor support 41, respectively the second sensor support 42, comprises a second portion 48 extending mainly from one end of the first portion 44 along a plane perpendicular to the upper face of the upper plate 26. In other words, in this variant, the sensor supports have an L shape. This support shape has the advantage of being able to screw the sensor probe into the second portion of the support 41 (as visible in [Fig. 3]).And the 45 cable of the probe is oriented vertically towards the supporting structure in order to facilitate the management of the cable route in the wall. This results in less clutter for the cables in the insulating module.

[0061] [Fig. 6] represents a view of an upper plate 26 of a mechanical coupler with two sensor supports 41, 42 according to a variant of the second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the second sensor support 42 is connected to the second lateral face 33 of the first mechanical coupler 30, the second lateral face 33 being parallel to the first lateral face 31. The two sensor supports are opposite each other with respect to the plate 26. They are each welded on the small side of the plate 26.

[0062] [Fig. 6] also shows another variant of the second embodiment. In this variant, the first sensor support 41, respectively the second sensor support 42, comprises only a first portion 47 extending from the first lateral face 31, respectively the second lateral face 33, mainly along a plane parallel to the upper face of the upper plate 26. In other words, in this variant, the sensor supports have an I-shape. The probes are then screwed into the first portion 47 of the supports, and the cable 45 extends from this first portion 47. The sensor support variant with an I-shape has the advantage of a smaller footprint compared to that of the sensor support variant with an L-shape.

[0063] [Fig. 7] shows a view of an upper plate 26 of a mechanical coupler 30 with two sensor supports 41, 42 according to a third embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the first sensor support 41 is fixed to the lateral face 32 of the first mechanical coupler 30 and the second sensor support 42 is connected to the lateral face 34 of the first mechanical coupler 30, the second lateral face 34 being parallel to the lateral face 32. The two sensor supports are opposite each other with respect to the plate 26. They are each welded to the long side of the plate 26. This configuration is advantageous in terms of stability of the assembly formed by the mechanical coupler and the sensor supports welded to the upper plate of the mechanical coupler.

[0064] [Fig.8] shows a view of an upper plate 26 of a mechanical coupler 30 with two sensor supports 41, 42 according to a fourth embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the second sensor support 42 is connected to the second lateral face 32 of the first mechanical coupler 30, the second lateral face 32 being perpendicular to the first lateral face 31. Thus, one of the two sensor supports is fixed on a small side of the plate 26 and the other of the two sensor supports is fixed on a large side of the plate 26. This configuration is advantageous in preparing the space necessary for the sensor supports and the cables associated with the sensors. Indeed, a mechanical coupler being positioned at the intersection of four insulating modules, the present configuration does not impact the four modules but only those near the faces 31, 32.

[0065] It may be emphasized that it does not depart from the scope of the invention to consider different shapes of sensor support. Furthermore, two sensor supports having different shapes may be fixed to the same plate 26, for example an L-shaped sensor support and an I-shaped sensor support.

[0066] With reference to [Fig.9], a cutaway view of a LNG carrier ship 70 shows a sealed and insulated tank 71 of generally prismatic shape mounted in the double hull 72 of the ship. The wall of the tank 71 comprises a primary sealed barrier intended to be in contact with the liquefied gas contained in the tank, a secondary sealed barrier arranged between the primary sealed barrier and the double hull 72 of the ship, and two insulating barriers arranged respectively between the primary sealed barrier and the secondary sealed barrier and between the secondary sealed barrier and the double hull 72. In a simplified variant, the ship comprises a single hull.

[0067] In a manner known per se, loading / unloading pipes 73 arranged on the upper deck of the ship can be connected, by means of appropriate connectors, to a maritime or port terminal to transfer a cargo of liquefied gas from or to the tank 71.

[0068] [Fig.9] represents an example of a maritime terminal comprising a loading and unloading station 75, an underwater pipeline 76 and an onshore installation 77. The loading and unloading station 75 is a fixed offshore installation comprising a mobile arm 74 and a tower 78 which supports the mobile arm 74. The mobile arm 74 carries a bundle of insulated flexible pipes 79 which can be connected to the loading / unloading pipelines 73. The orientable mobile arm 74 adapts to all sizes of LNG carriers. A connecting pipe, not shown, extends inside the tower 78. The loading and unloading station 75 allows the loading and unloading of the LNG carrier 70 from or to the onshore installation 77. The latter comprises liquefied gas storage tanks 80 and connecting pipes 81 connected by the underwater pipe 76 to the loading or unloading station 75.The subsea pipeline 76 allows the transfer of liquefied gas between the loading or unloading station 75 and the onshore installation 77 over a long distance, for example 5 km, which makes it possible to keep the LNG carrier 70 at a great distance from the coast during loading and unloading operations.

[0069] To generate the pressure necessary for the transfer of the liquefied gas, pumps on board the ship 70 and / or pumps equipping the onshore installation 77 and / or pumps equipping the loading and unloading station 75 are used.

[0070] Although the invention has been described in connection with several particular embodiments, it is quite obvious that it is in no way limited thereto and that it includes all the technical equivalents of the means described as well as their combinations if these fall within the scope of the invention.

[0071] The use of the verb “comprise”, “comprise” or “include” and its conjugated forms does not exclude the presence of other elements or other steps than those stated in a claim.

[0072] In the claims, any reference sign in parentheses cannot be interpreted as a limitation of the claim.

[0073] It will more generally appear to those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made to the embodiments described above, in light of the teaching which has just been disclosed to them. In the following claims, the terms used should not be interpreted as limiting the claims to the embodiments set out in the present description, but should be interpreted to include all equivalents which the claims are intended to cover by virtue of their wording and the prediction of which is within the reach of those skilled in the art based on their general knowledge.

Claims

Claims

1. A sealed and thermally insulating tank arranged in a supporting structure (1) for containing a cold fluid, in which a wall of the tank successively comprises a primary sealed membrane (5) intended to be in contact with the fluid, a primary insulating barrier (4), a secondary sealed membrane (3) parallel to the primary sealed membrane and a secondary insulating barrier (2) arranged between the secondary sealed membrane and the supporting structure, in which the secondary insulating barrier comprises a plurality of insulating modules (6) of generally parallelepipedal shape juxtaposed on the supporting structure to form a substantially uniform support surface for the secondary sealed membrane, and mechanical couplers (30) attached to the supporting structure between the juxtaposed insulating modules and cooperating with the insulating modules to retain the insulating modules against the supporting structure,and in which a mechanical coupler comprises:, a rod (23) oriented along the thickness of the secondary insulating barrier and having a lower end portion attached to the supporting structure, and a fixing element linked to an upper end portion of the rod, the fixing element having an upper plate (26) extending parallel to the secondary waterproof membrane, the upper plate (26) of the fixing element being delimited by an upper face, a lower face and four lateral faces (31, 32, 33, 34), the upper face being flush with the upper surface of the insulating modules (6) between which the mechanical coupler (30) is arranged to form with the upper surface of the insulating modules (6) the substantially uniform support surface for the secondary waterproof membrane (3),the tank being characterized in that it comprises a first sensor support (41) fixed to a first lateral face (31) of the upper plate (26) of a first mechanical coupler (30) and a second sensor support (42) fixed to a second lateral face (32, 33, 34, 51), distinct from the first lateral face (31), of a mechanical coupler among the first mechanical coupler or a second mechanical coupler distinct from the first mechanical coupler arranged opposite the first coupler with respect to an insulating module (6).,

2. A tank according to claim 1, wherein the second support of sensor (42) is connected to the second lateral face (33) of the first mechanical coupler (30), the second lateral face (33) being parallel to the first lateral face (31).

3. A tank according to claim 1, wherein the second sensor support (42) is connected to the second lateral face (32, 34) of the first mechanical coupler (30), the second lateral face (32, 34) being perpendicular to the first lateral face (31).

4. Tank according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which the first sensor support (41), respectively the second sensor support (42), comprises a first portion (47) extending from the first lateral face (31), respectively the second lateral face (32, 33, 34), mainly along a plane parallel to the upper face of the upper plate (26).

5. Tank according to claim 4, in which the first sensor support (41), respectively the second sensor support (42), comprises a second portion (48) extending mainly from one end of the first portion (44) along a plane perpendicular to the upper face of the upper plate (26).

6. A tank according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first sensor support (41) and the second sensor support (42) are leak detection sensor supports.

7. The tank of claim 6, further comprising a first leak detection sensor (43) attached to the first sensor support (41) and a second leak detection sensor (44) attached to the second sensor support (42).

8. The tank of claim 7, wherein the first leak detection sensor (43) and the second leak detection sensor (44) are one of a temperature sensor, a pressure sensor, or a concentration detector of a predefined gas.

9. A vessel (70) for transporting a fluid, the vessel comprising a double hull (72) and a tank (71) according to any one of claims 1 to 8 disposed in the double hull (72).

10. A transfer system for a fluid, the system comprising a vessel (70) according to claim 9, insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) arranged to connect the vessel tank (71) to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) and a pump for driving a fluid through the insulated pipes from or to the floating or land-based storage facility to or from the vessel tank.

11. A method of loading or unloading a vessel (70) according to claim 9, wherein a fluid is conveyed through insulated pipes (73, 79, 76, 81) from or to a floating or land-based storage facility (77) to or from the vessel's tank (71).

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